Improvement in potato-diggers



MOSES JOHNSON. Y

Improvement in Potato Diggers.

NO, 125,305, v PatenfedApm2,1872.

UNrrEE N. STATES `Pa'rnlfvll? QFFIOE.

HIS RIGHTEOCHARLES A. ESSLINGER, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN POTATOrDlGGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,303, dated April 2, 1872.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, MOSES JOHNSON, of Three Rivers, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Potato-Diggers; and I do hereby declare that thefollowin g is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation ofthe same, reference being had to the annexed drawing making a part of this specilication, and to the letters and ligures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a central vertical longitudinal section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig 3 is a detail.

This invention has relation to potato-diggers 5 and consists in the construction and novel arrangement ofV devices, comprising a hill-opener, spreader, vine-fender, vibrating lingers for separating the potatoes from the earth, and toothed roller adapted to operate said lingers, said devices being designed to facilitate the actual work of digging potatoes. This invention also consists in the construction of the aforesaid toothed roller, whereby it is adapted to work with less draft, and with better elfect as a means of vibrating the separating fingers. This invention, furthermore, consists in the construction and arrangement ofthe draft-beam and the plow-handles, by which the implement is rendered compact and strong.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating my invention, A designates the draft-beam, having attached to its rear end the curved arms a, which support at their lower ends' the shaft of .a wheel, B. C represents a vertical standard, provided with a shovel, c, for opening the potato-hills. The standard C is made broad in order that the vines may be cast off to either side, and it is strengthened by a dia gonal brace, c. D denotes handles, through the lower parts of which passes the shaft of the wheel B. Secured to the lower ends of the handles are the wings d d of aplow. These win gs are inclined toward either side and taper to a point, which enters the hill opened by the shovel c. The wings are also inclined from their rear ends to the point of the plow. The object of the plow is to carry the contents of the potato-hills to certain vibrating lingers, by which the earth and potatoes will be well separated. These vibrating lingers are marked d1 d2 d3, and are hinged to the rear ends of the wings d din sets, the lingers of each set being connected so as to work together. These lingers are located on either side of the wheel B. The inner lingers d3 are bent so that their extreme ends shall be brought close to the sides of the wheel B, from which project the studs b. As the wheel turns the studs b come in contact withthe lingers d3. The latter falling from stud to stud have, together with the lingers al1-cl2, a vibratory motion. l The earth which is carried over the wings dfalls on the vibra-ting lingers, and is by them so shaken as to separate the potatoes and deposit them on the surface. The lingers may be spread apart at their rear ends, so as to let the potatoes fall through. E designates wings attached to the upper .surface of the wings d d. The wings E meet at a concave edge, which gradually inclines toward the point of the plow. From said edge the wings are spread out on either side ofthe wheel. A standard, F, depending from the beam A, supports and strengthens the wings E, and through them the wings d. The win gs E and the standard F serve to protectthe wheel B from the potato-vines. The wings also assist in throwing the earth toward the sides of the implement. The periphery of the wheel B is provided with hook-shaped teeth B', having sharp edges cut obliquely, as shown.

This form gives to each tooth a point, which as the wheel moves enters the earth lirst and gains a purchase. The oblique arrangement renders the edges of the teeth wider and` allows `them to set firmly. The draft is lessened at the same time, on account of the ease with which the teeth enter and leave the soil. By bearing down on the handles D so as to raise the plow, the wheel B may be used as an aid in moving the implement to and from work.

l claim as my invention- 1. The fender-wings E, in combination with the plow-win gs d d, vibrating lingers d1 d2 d3,

the shaft of the Wheel B, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

MOSES JOHNSON.

Witnesses CLARENCE E. WILBU'R, E. L. BROWNE. 

